Stress is widely recognized as a major environmental factor contributing to the development of mood disorders. In patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and suicidal behavior, significant hyperactivation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is observed, characterized by excessive cortisol release, which in turn stimulates the production of pro-inflammatory mediators....
Ayahuasca is a hallucinogenic beverage produced from the decoction of Banisteriopsis caapi (Bc) and Psychotria viridis (Pv), β-carboline- and N,N-dimethyltryptamine(DMT)-containing plants, respectively. Accumulating evidence suggests that ayahuasca may have therapeutic effects on ethanol abuse. It is not known, however, whether its effects are dependent on the presence of DMT or if...